On May 25, 2008, fire and rescue personnel from Loudoun County responded to a structure fire at 43238 Meadowood Court in Leesburg. Crews from Company 6 arrived on the scene to find heavy fire coming from a two-story single-family home. Four firefighters quickly searched the home for occupants and initiated a fire attack while the two apparatus operators conducted exterior tasks.

A rapid and catastrophic change of fire and smoke conditions occurred in the interior of the house. Four personnel from Engine 6 and Tower 6 became trapped on the second floor due to the intense fire, heat and smoke conditions. A Mayday transmission was made and the 4 firefighters were forced to self-rescue from the structure.

During the course of the incident, seven responders were injured. Of those injured, four firefighters received significant burn injuries, two firefighters sustained orthopedic injuries, and one EMS provider was treated for minor respiratory distress. One firefighter, Lt. John Earley, was medically retired due to his burn injuries.